The 21st Century World needs a 1st Century Church.
We are looking at the 6 values we find in the book of Acts Church.
Week 1 – ALL ABOUT JESUS
Week 2 – SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
And this 3rd week we learn that the 1st Century Church lived in Community.
Before the Holy Spirit arrived in Acts 2, community was already on the scene – they were all together in one place (Acts 2:1). After the Holy Spirit had filled the house and after 3000 souls were added to the church they continued in community – All believers were together… and they met daily (Acts 2:44-46).
Community is essential to the New Testament Church. Community is rare in the 1st century. We must be connected to each other more than ever.

2013-10-20darkness3 from Redemption Church on Vimeo.
 
1st Century Church connecting with a 21st Century World Part 3: Community
Sermon notes by Pastor Chris Fluitt
Redemption Church Plano Tx
 
Our mission
Our Vision
All about Jesus
Spiritual Transformation
 
A 1st Century Church lives in COMMUNITY
New Testament community:
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.(NIV)
 
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.(NIV)
Acts 2:43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.(NIV)
Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(NIV)
Acts 2:45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.(NIV)
Acts 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,(NIV)
 
A first century church lives in community.
Luke wrote the book of Acts. It is clear to me that he is underlying the importance of community in the Church. Community is foundational in the Church of Jesus.
Why is community important in a first century church?

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God’s kingdom is a unified kingdom

Luke 11:17 “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.(NIV)
God’s Kingdom will fall into ruin if we do not have Community.

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People can accomplish anything if they are unified.

In Genesis 11 the people of the earth unified to build a tower and God said this about their unity.
Genesis 11:6 The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.(NIV)
People can accomplish anything if they are unified.  People can’t accomplish much when division is present….one only needs to look at our federal government as an example of this.

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Community combats hypocrisy.

A hypocrite will say “I care about people” but will not ever give care.
A hypocrite will say “I love God and people” but will not ever live out that love.
Community is more than just a group of people gathering under a common banner. Community is a group of people living life together. You can gather under a banner, a denomination, a belief but never enter into life together.
AND if you TRULY enter into life together you will know about each other’s hurts.. Successes.. Failures.. Dreams.. Needs.. Giftings.

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Community is not one sided

 
Community test
Ron Muller – A collector of hot-wheels and an engineer
Heather Staimple – A north Carolinian studying to be a video game creator
Patricia Pursley – A published writer who visits and helps an elderly lady each week named Pondra.